A New Species of Fungia

•a RIJKS MUSEUM VAN NATUUBLIJKE HISTOBIE — LEIDEN. 65

VIII. — A NEW SPECIES OF FUNGIA.

BY Dr. C. J. VAN DER HORST. — (WITH plate l).

Among the Fungid corals, which Dr. van Oort, the director of the
Leyden Museum, has put at my disposal to examine, for which I feel
extremely grateful, there were two specimens, which differ so much from
all previously recorded forms, that I hare no hesitation in describing
them as a new species.

Fungia moluccensis nov. spec.

Corallum oval in shape, heavy; wall with a few slits near the peri¬
phery, otherwise solid, ahoral surface concave. Margin of the corallum
rounded. Upper surface much arched round the axial fossa, at the edge
equally thick. Central area of the under surface densely granulated. Bibs
only distinct at the periphery, unequal. The larger ones extend farther
to the centrum; in the central area they continue for some distance like
rows of granulations. All ribhs are densely granulated and provided with
short irregular spines.

Septa • unequal, those of the higher cycles fuse together. The smaller
septa with minute teeth, between which deep, often overbridged incisions.
Edges of the larger septa irregular, very densely granulated. Therefore
these septa seem thicker than they are in reality. The sides of the septa
do not show many granulations.

1 have before me two specimens of these species. One was collected
by Mr. Beiuwardt in the Moluccas, the origin of the other is unknown.

Dimensions of the specimens in mm.

locality

length

breadth

height

thickDess
round the
axial fossa

thickness
at the
edge

length of axial fossa

Moluccas

106

92

47

29

13

25

unknown

150

108

55

85

15

40

In the large specimen the thicker ribs are more prominent than in
the other.

This species greatly resembles Fungia oahensis Dod.'), but differs from
it in the absence of the swellings in the central area of the under sur¬
face and in the unequality of the septa and ribs. Vaughan’s figure of
Fungia granulo$a^) strongly resembles my specimen of unknown origin.
But I have also an undeniable specimen of F. granuUaa before me, and
the difference between the two is too striking to leave any doubt.

The specimen of the Moluccas shows on the upper surface two little
secundary calioles.

1) Doderlflint Die Kordlengattang Faagia^ 1902.

2} Vaaghfin, Three new Fungiae. Proc, U. S. Nat. Mua. 1903.

ZOOL. MED. MUS. LEIDEN, V.

PL 1.

Fungia moluccenm nov. spec.